Aldous Torculas and the San Beda Red Lions are going into the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament armed with the top seed in Group A and a win-once advantage. And the high-flying forward knows the key behind what has been a strong season so far.
The transferee from the UAAP believes that one factor behind San Beda’s successful regular season was his teammates’ understanding of what and how to sacrifice for the greater good.
Players Sacrificing Their Individual Numbers
As the Red Lions’ number one option this season, Torculas believes that almost everyone on their team is capable of scoring—or copping Player of the Game honors.
But throughout Season 102 so far, multiple Red Lions have been willing to give up minutes and scoring opportunities for the sake of improving overall team performance.
“I think ‘yung willingness to sacrifice,” Torculas told Rebanse following the Red Lions’ win against the Benilde Blazers when asked why San Beda has been so good this season. “I think isa ‘yun sa mga naging improvement ng team, knowing na ang ganda ng preseason namin. Lahat kami umii-score but iba na ‘yung season eh. So, ‘yung mga guys na willing to sacrifice their minutes or ‘yung pag-score to do ‘yung ibang job na rin.”
There is a lot of truth to that. In San Beda’s runner-up finish at the 19th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the trio of Jommel Puno, Jimmy Reyes, and Lawrence Hawkins carried much of the load for the Red Lions.
However, when Season 102 began, Aldous Torculas, Daniel Marcelo, and rookie Andrei Ugaddan took more of the spotlight for the winningest university in the league.
San Beda to Be Challenged in the Playoffs
Now, the Red Lions are set to face the Perpetual Help Altas, who defeated the Lyceum Pirates in the play-in. And if the elimination round is any indication, expect San Beda to lean heavily on Torculas, who has been stellar throughout the tournament with per-game averages of 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks. But don’t be surprised if he cedes the spotlight to his teammates if needed.
San Beda will look to advance to the semis on Monday, November 16, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
